Category: krdo-local-news

Celeste Springer

UPDATE: KRDO13 is excited to announce Abigail Young as our first Colorado Springs Idol! You can watch the full special above.

The Pikes Peak region is a vibrant home for talented musicians, but who can come up on top? KRDO13 is partnering with Colorado Springs’ School of Rock for our special, “Colorado Springs Idol!” Viewers have a chance to vote once a day on their favorite up-and-coming artist. But don’t forget to tune into their live performances at Sunshine Studios on Monday, April 28 at 8 p.m. on KRDO13. You can also stream live here. Voting closes that evening at 8:45 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. Our special follows a 2-hour American Idol episode kicking off at 6 p.m.

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Scott Harrison

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) — The threat of severe erosion along Fountain Creek led officials to close a section of a neighborhood street five years ago; now, neighbors wonder if the expected completion of a $6.2 million mitigation project will lead to the street’s reopening soon.

The Fountain Creek Watershed District (FCWD) has overseen the project that began last fall, to address the erosion that forced the closure of Southmoor Drive in April 2020.

Crews have smoothed out a bend in the creek below the street that caught the force of high-velocity flows, and reduced the sharp angle of slopes on the west side of it.

“It is a city responsibility to maintain the road,” said Alli Schuch, FCWD’s executive director. “And we’re super-thrilled to have partnered with them on this project. Once we are done and out of here in terms of the creek restoration project, the city can then come in and look at the next steps for the road.”

On Thursday morning, Todd Evans, Fountains deputy city manager, said that Southmoor Drive will remain closed for the near future.

“We want to give (the creek restoration) a few rainy seasons and see how it holds up,” he explained. “Sometimes, those projects work and sometimes they fail. We don’t want to waste money restoring the street if that project doesn’t work.”

Some neighbors said that they’re thrilled by the progress of the creek restoration.

“With the erosion, hoses and people were in danger,” said Laura Leedom, a bartender for American Legion Post 38, near the street closure. “And the fact that something’s being done is actually kind of nice. We’re glad that the Watershed project actually came in and took over, and did this for our community.”

Brett Taylor, who owns a motorcycle repair shop and painting business on Southmoor near the closure, is especially pleased.

The Road Warrior reported in February 2024 that the business building was only a few feet from collapsing down an eroded slope and into the creek.

“They’re doing an excellent job,” Taylor said. “I’m more than pleased that they saved my building. I’m a little disappointed they didn’t give me land back. But if it saved my building, we can deal with that later.”

He’s exploring the possibility of installing a retaining wall halfway down the slope — where his property line now is — to prevent future erosion.

Other neighbors have asked who will be responsible for maintaining the creek restoration after the project ends; Schuch said that the FCWD will continue to monitor the area for three years after the project’s completion.

“After that, we’ll have to find other funding sources,” she said.

To make driving around the street closure easier and safer, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) installed a new traffic signal and lane configuration at the intersection of Highway 85/87 and Carson Boulevard.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A high school downtown is moving forward with the first steps of major renovations. Palmer High School is set to begin construction in June 2025 on phase 1A of the renovations, according to a Colorado Springs School District 11 spokesperson.

But some historians and neighbors are keeping an eye on the next steps of the plans that could remove some nationally recognized historic places.

Three homes along East Saint Vrain Street are the start of the Weber-Wasatch historic district. The district stretches up to Del Norte Street, but the Historic Uptown neighborhood group worries that if District 11 moves forward with these plans, it would destroy the homes that have stood in the same spot for decades. 

“I’ve driven through this neighborhood multiple times. But it wasn’t until I got out and started walking and started actually looking at these buildings that it started to sink in, which is why I’m an advocate for pedestrian walking tours,” explained Tim Scanlon.

Tim Scanlon is a local historian whose eye was caught by the intricacies of each historic home. Scanlon later became a walking tour guide of the Weber Street Wahsatch Avenue National Register Historic District.

“You don’t preserve things simply because they’re old. Then you’d preserve rocks. You preserve buildings because they have significance. It can be historic or it can be architectural. In this instance, it’s both,” explained Scanlon.

The historian pointed to Victorian details adorning the homes’ half cove and diamond-shaped shingles, decorated chimneys, plus the rich history. 

“That building (430 N. Weber) is associated with the Cripple Creek mining boom. It also has a variety of shingles that help to distinguish the building,” shared Scanlon.

Scanlon also explained how the home located on 219 E St. Vrain St. is where he started the walking tour.

“This building right behind me was number one on the tour. It was the Frank Johnson house built by the man who was working for Newton Lumber Company. Eventually, became president between 1905 and 1915, Newton Lumber Company, not only sold lumber, but they also built many homes and apartment buildings. Several of Frank’s apartment buildings are located in the Boulder Crescent District. So, that’s the historic bid on this building,” explained Scanlon.

Scanlon explained how, when it comes to preserving a historic building, moving the building is the last case scenario.

“When you move a building from its location, it loses its historic significance,” said Scanlon.

The school district says they’re only moving forward with the first phase at this point and will have many opportunities for community feedback in the years to come.

Colorado Springs School District 11 sent this statement about the potential removal of the homes.

“No final decisions have been made regarding the removal of the homes adjacent to Palmer High School. Their inclusion in the current master plan is entirely conceptual and would require acquisition by the district, which has not occurred. These properties are not included in Phase 1A of construction. We are committed to ongoing, transparent conversations with neighbors, historians, and the wider community before any next steps are determined.

To clarify:

The master plan is not finalized. It is a draft meant to guide discussion, and we expect changes as we continue to engage with the community.

No immediate action is planned regarding these homes. They are not part of Phase 1A, which will begin in June 2025 and continue through spring 2028. There are several years ahead for conversation and collaboration.

We are aware of the historic significance. Just as we are preserving and revitalizing key historic elements of Palmer’s main campus, we take these properties’ history seriously.

Ongoing engagement: We will continue to involve neighbors, historians, and community groups at every stage before any decisions are made.

We appreciate the community’s passion for preserving our shared history and remain committed to transparency and open dialogue as planning progresses.”

-Jessica Wise, Colorado Springs School District 11

Phase 1A, Colorado Springs School District 11, RTA Architects

Phase 1B, Colorado Springs School District 11, RTA Architects

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — We often hear of highways being built, repaired or repaved but we hear less often about efforts to keep highways clean and free of debris.

This week, however, we can see cleaning operations along seven miles of I-25 in Pueblo, with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews using a street-sweeping machine between the Eagleridge Boulevard and Pueblo Boulevard interchanges.

The first night of the three-night operation started at 7 a.m. Tuesday and ended at 3 a.m. Wednesday; cleaning continues overnight Wednesday and Thursday.

Overnight Tuesday, crews began on the south end of town at the Pueblo Boulevard interchange and proceeded north to the Eagleridge Boulevard interchange.

The first night focused on cleaning the shoulders along the medians; crews will switch to the right shoulders and the on-off ramps during the next two nights.

But James Buford, a maintenance supervisor, said that the crew covered only three miles the first night.

“We did have a mechanical breakdown with the broom at around 1 or 2 a.m.,” he explained. “So, we had to stop our sweeping operation and do some repairs to the broom. But we will continue northbound and then finish southbound. It depends on how much debris there is. I think we were only able to go about 30 minutes before our (sweeper) got full. We had to go to the offsite location and dump the the sand and whatever other material you is getting picked up.”

There’s usually a lot — and that’s just in Pueblo.

“This area encompasses Canyon City, Penrose, Florence, Westcliffe, Pueblo, Pueblo West and Cotopaxi,” Buford said. “Last night, we collected about 32 tons of material over those three miles.”

The sweepers vacuum dust and small pieces of debris, and spray water to scrub the pavement with a circular brush under the vehicle.

“I would say just a combination of grass, weeds, trash, some salts and just road debris, tire rubber,” Buford said. “Just a combination of many, many things. A lot of times we have items fall off of vehicles, and break apart. “So, it could be whatever they’re hauling. All of the homeless trash doesn’t help.”

Sweeping work normally occurs at night when less traffic increases safety for crews; CDOT has only one sweeper for a five-member crew, and that crew also has other duties and isn’t dedicated solely to debris removal.

“Our sweeping operation is generally pretty in-depth,” Buford said.

Rain can be helpful by washing away salt, sand and dirt; but it can also contribute to clogged drains and piles of debris.

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Josh Helmuth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs is home to a school that helps students specifically with dyslexia. It’s called ALLIES (Academy for Literacy, Learning and Innovation Excellence). Twice a year, they host “Dyslexia Night,” a special night to help parents better understand what their children are going through.

The D-49 school takes parents through a series of work stations, simulating the pressure, anxiety, and frustration students often suffer while dealing with dyslexia in a traditional classroom. The experience makes some parents emotional.

“My kid is in fifth grade. It’s the first time I’ve experienced this,” said one parent during last week’s Dyslexia Night. “To think that I have encouraged her and I’ve tried, but there’s just so much more that I could have done differently.”

And the school recognizes that, although dyslexia is common, it’s still very misunderstood.

“Every student that walks through our door is treated with kindness and respect, but often when they come to us, they are a little beaten down and frustrated from their school experience, so it’s our job to build them back up,” said Amy Zweifel, ALLIES’ principal.

Is there something or someone remarkable at your school? Email Josh at SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com!

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) says a portion of a nursing home has been evacuated, and hazmat crews are on scene at 104 Lois Ln.

CSFD says a small wing of the building was evacuated as a precaution. Preliminary readings did not come up with anything, but the hazmat team is inside getting more readings.

The department says that they believe cleaning chemicals may have been improperly mixed and the vapor spread to the air vents.

Two people were sent to the hospital for “minor respiratory illness.” A third person was treated at the scene, CSFD said.

“Just wondered what was going on. And then they said that there was a chemical smell. So everybody was out real quick,” Ernest Beasley has lived at The Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for years. Beasley said he didn’t smell the gas, and the first time he heard about the gas was when a nurse came in to evacuate him from his room.

“They were just telling us that there was a chemical spill. And that everybody just needed to be out real quick,” Beasley said.

CSFD said they took extra precautions because of the at-risk population living at the center.

“The chlorine gas that’s produced. It’s pretty nasty stuff. If you take enough of it, it can be a real, genuine, medical emergency,” Capt. JJ Halsey with CSFD said.

23 of the 43 residents at the center were evacuated. Tonight, a facility spokesperson says all the residents are safe and everything is back to normal. That spokesperson couldn’t say exactly what the workers were doing when the chemicals mixed, creating the dangerous gas, but added that those chemicals are regularly used to clean rooms at the center.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Drivers bracing for two nights of closures this week on busy Dublin Boulevard near the Peterson Road intersection received an unexpected break.

City officials announced in a Monday afternoon release that they were postponing the $15 million Dublin Improvements project for two weeks, until early next month; no reason was given.

The overnight closures were to happen Tuesday and Wednesday, to allow crews to place concrete barriers that will establish a new traffic pattern during construction.

During the project, crews will make a variety of upgrades to a three-quarter-mile stretch of Dublin, from Marksheffel Road west to Fieler Drive. The segment will be widened from two to four lanes to match Dublin west of the project area, and to blend into the ongoing widening of Marksheffel in that area.

Other improvements include: Drainage work allowing more excess groundwater to drain into nearby Sand Creek, a center median similar to the existing median west of the project area, a traffic signal at the Dublin/Issaquah Drive intersection, and sidewalks where none currently exist.

Addressing a troublesome underground spring that developed last summer and fall — covered extensively by KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior — was supposed to be part of the project. However, when Ice began forming late in the year, crews accelerated their repair schedule and plugged the leak in January.

Robert Flores has lived along Dublin for 16 years and said the project is long overdue.

“But they need to do something about speeding,” he said. “It’s a big problem here. I’m surprised there haven’t been more crashes. Even on the street into my neighborhood (Fieler), cars don’t stop at the stop sign. They roll through it or ignore it entirely. We have kids around here. I hope something is done about that.”

Other neighbors dread the upcoming construction and fear that the project will create more traffic congestion in an already-busy corridor.

“We don’t like the fact that our lives are going to be disrupted for an extended period of time,” said Randy and Michelle Bourgeois, while taking a stroll along Dublin. “However, It’s needed. This section is a big bottleneck as it is.”

Another concern expressed by neighbors is the ability to turn left onto or off of Dublin from their neighborhoods during and after the project — something that already is challenging with the current amount of traffic.

“I’m worried that they’ll make it right turn only, out of our neighborhoods,” a neighbor said. “I hope that doesn’t happen. Traffic is only going to get heavier with all the houses they keep building in (nearby) Banning Lewis Ranch.”

Even with the postponement, officials expect to finish the project by the end of this year.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – One of the many things Pope Francis was known for was his background in science before becoming a priest. He was the first pontiff in history to take a public stance on combating climate change. It’s that work and so much more that has left a lasting impact on one local teacher.

Seamus McGuire is a scientist and educator at St. Mary’s Catholic High School. He heads the STEM department at the school. When McGuire was in college, he spent a year studying in Rome.

“It became a part of everyday life to be walking through the Vatican on a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning, and you would see Pope Francis up on his balcony, giving his address. He’d be praying the Angelus. He would be just speaking and meeting with people, and it was so normal to see him engage with the everyday people of the city that it just was, oh, yeah, there’s the Pope. He’s doing what he does. He just meets with people. He’s there to help and guide and lead. And that really formed how I view my own faith as a Catholic. And about the mission of the Catholic Church and our need to meet people where they are and become a part of everyday life,” shared McGuire.

He says Pope Francis’s teachings and history as a scientist helped to inform his lessons as a science teacher.

“I really connected with Pope Francis on that personal level because of his background as a biochemist, where he had this entire career of working as a scientist, doing research. And that bleeds into the way that he talks and views the world,” explained McGuire.

Every week, he shares a catholic scientist with his class to inspire them and show how other catholics have had successful careers in science.

“The job of a scientist is to question. It’s to find loopholes. It’s to find the failings of the universe around us and then work on a solution for them. And you have to have some faith in your hypothesis. There’s going to be an answer to it. And when I bring that up, they go, yeah, of course, I have faith that my hypothesis, I’m going to find a solution to it. That’s faith right there. That’s religion. That’s what I’m doing every day, believing that there is a God and that faith, that trust, is at the core of religion and science,” explained McGuire.

That’s how he found answers to the intersectionality of science and religion. He shared how, during his time in Rome, he was able to study scientific research done with the belief in God. These studies and the teachings of Pope Francis have carried on in his lessons to this day.

“He really pushed for education and for making sure that our students and the next generation were set up to be successful, not just as catholics, but as human beings,” shared McGuire.

McGuire teaches students how the slightest act of kindness can make a world of a difference. 

“It’s that one small handshake, that one tiny thing that Pope Francis kept him going. So it’s, you know, those small things are really important,” explained McGuire.

Just like the Pope left that impact on him. 

“Touching his hand one time in a papal audience, even that left me so, you know, touched by how incredible of a human being he was. It’s a lot of emotions that run through your mind,” McGuire recounted.

McGuire said there will be services and prayers for students of St. Mary’s High School this week.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has announced the birth of three new ring-tailed lemur pups.

The zoo says the trio was born on March 20. Interestingly, they’re not all siblings. Despite coincidentally being born on the same day, they were born to different mothers.

For now, zoo officials say matriarch lemur Allagash is taking care of the babies.

The other lemur, Rogue, has taken a step back from motherhood. Zoo officials say just a day after giving birth, a chase displaced Rogue on Lemur Island. She was separated from her offspring, and despite the staff’s efforts to reunite Rogue with the baby, they say she no longer accepted it.

Allagash accepted the baby when staff presented it to her, the zoo said.

“Staff are monitoring all lemurs closely, and have seen calm interactions through mesh between the group and Rogue,” said the zoo in a press release. “They have seen Rogue grooming Allagash (a sign of calm respect and bonding between sisters) and the babies.”

The zoo has not released the names or sexes of the baby lemurs just yet. The lemurs are available to view at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, staff said.

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